Honda has stoked rumours that it would make a formal return to Formula 1 by announcing that it has registered with the FIA as a manufacturer interested in the 2026 engine regulations.
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The Japanese manufacturer announced its retirement from grand prix racing at the conclusion of the 2021 season, making it plain that it could no longer justify an F1 programme due to its focus on growing its electric road car business. However, it continued to dip a toe in the water by leasing the IP of its power units to Red Bull beyond 2021. Max Verstappen’s team went on to win the drivers’ world championship. Since it has continued to be successful this year, Honda logos have returned to the Red Bull cars starting with the Japanese Grand Prix. The Milton Keynes-based team aims to operate its own power unit after the 2025 season, which is the end of the existing agreement with Red Bull. The original proposal for Red Bull to partner with Porsche starting in 2026 fell through after negotiations between the companies broke down, but speculation of Honda returning to Formula One continued.
Following the release of that information, Red Bull, which is working on its own engine, declared that it was open to working with Honda in the future, particularly with regard to the enhanced electrical component of the F1 power unit. Honda’s motorsport boss revealed in Japan on Monday that the business had legally registered its intention in becoming an engine maker, moving that plan one step closer to reality. All manufacturers who wish to begin producing power units as of 2026 are required by the FIA to notify the organisation of their plans by the middle of November.
Koji Watanabe, head of Honda Racing, stated that Honda had done so, but he made it clear that this did not necessarily indicate that Honda will enter starting in 2026. During Honda’s 2023 Honda Motor Sports Activity Plan Presentation, Watanabe stated, “As HRC, we have registered as a PU manufacturer after 2026.”
“From 2026 on, the F1 regulations will move toward carbon neutrality. The fact that electrification is also being encouraged and that Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is promoting both carbon neutrality and electrification are also similar. The goals line up. As a racing organisation, we registered as a manufacturer to encourage scientific inquiry into racing. “There’s also the matter of the deadline, which was November 15.” (for registration). We have applied to become a manufacturer so that [this study] can proceed.
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The decision by Honda to register gives it the opportunity to decide whether or not to proceed with an official return in 2026, which could be either alone or in collaboration with Red Bull. It would have been more challenging for it to enter for 2026 at a later time, and it would not have been a part of any of the official conversations that are currently taking place between the various manufacturers and the FIA, had it not registered by the deadline in November.
In an interview earlier this year, Watanabe had stated that Honda had never completely ruled out a return to the F1 and would actively examine it once its goals for the road car were clear. When asked what might persuade Honda to come back, he replied, “I think there are various aspects we need to observe. “However, once we made the decision to end Formula One due to mass manufacturing [of road cars] and carbon neutrality, we initially need to focus on this side. “Once we realise that we can accomplish this, we can then think about F1.”
